Durban University of Technology fourth-year student Sihle Mthembu is a rising star.

Recently qualified as a Journalist, this young man is making his mark in the media arena and will stop at nothing to succeed. He is the editor of MindMap-SA- an online based social commentary and arts magazine, a features writer and an art critic simultaneously.

This journalist’s passion for writing developed from a tender age of 10 after his teacher had read a chapter from Tom Sawyer’s book.

Mthembu said he never allowed his surroundings to limit him, nor did he conform to any social expectations. “I grew up in a township so I am very weary of social nuances but I read the New Yorker and Monocle. I also love Woody Allen and Mamet”, he said.

His philosophy is to work hard, stay humble and be influenced by other positive people. “Inspire and be inspired is all that matters in the end”, he said.

He draws his inspiration from Roger Young who says “art is the process of finding your message”.

But that’s not all, Mthembu is also a budding filmmaker and is preparing to shoot a short documentary series. This doccie will focus on artists in Durban, getting a peak into their mindsets and looking at what inspires them and their work. Mthembu is also a co-creative director of an agency called Coolab which is a “think tank” (platform for artists to interact and exchange ideas) based in Durban.

After completing his BTech in Journalism at DUT, Mthembu will focus on growing the MindMap-SA brand and due to a growing demand, he plans to put together a print edition of the online magazine.

–Nomvula Sikakane

Caption: DUT’s rising star Sihle Mthembu